aaamusic | On 02, Aug 2010

On 20 September 2010 Sony Commercial Music Group release Essential Mixes – a brand new series of remix collections from 8 superb chart-topping artists. Containing pop music’s very best 12” remixes from past and present, the albums also feature fresh mixes that bring these massive tunes back with a bang!

The first phase of Essential Mixes albums will feature tracks, available commercially for the first time including, Justin Timberlake’s ‘What Goes Around…Comes Around’ mixed by Sebastien Leger, Kylie’s ‘Confide In Me’ by Phillip Damien and Usher’s ‘You Make Me Wanna’ by Timbaland.

Some of these mixes helped secure the biggest hits for the artists included on the first eight albums, including Justin Timberlake’s ‘Cry Me a River’, ‘Like I Love You’ and ‘Rock Your Body’ and Kylie’s ‘Confide In Me’ all reaching #2, plus Usher’s #1 smashes ‘You Make Me Wanna’ and ‘Burn’.

Justin Timberlake: Essential Mixes meets ‘World’s No.1 DJ’ Tiesto and indie remix Kings Justice, each taking on versions of 2007’s LoveStoned/I Think She Knows. Other highlights include a smash hook-up with world house music leaders Basement Jaxx on ‘Like I Love You’, in a selection of mixes that simply sizzles.

Currently rivalling all contenders for the Queen of Pop title, Kylie: Essential Mixes truly reflects the ascension of a brilliant music style. Pioneer of Chicago house music, Felix Da Housekat, has worked his magic on both Britney Spears and Madonna, and his work on ‘Where Is The Feeling’ is irresistible.

As well as US producer to the best of them, Timbaland featuring on Usher: Essential mixes, the UK’s Bimbo Jones, who has worked for over 30 superstar artists including Christina Aguilera and The Ting Tings, also makes his mark on the album mixing Usher’s 2005 hit ‘Caught Up’. Packed with some of the most respected in the industry this album bursts with Ushers finest hits.

Soul legend Luther Vandross gets the Essential Mixes treatment from David Morales, a man who needs no introduction on the worldwide house scene, his ability to transform pop songs into club-friendly dance tracks has seen him work with all greats, such as Mariah Carey and even Michael Jackson.

Remixing machine Jackknife Lee has built his reputation as one of the best by working with artists such as U2 and P!NK, now alongside the untouchable MJ Cole, on TLC: Essential Mixes they both provide the album with unmissable versions of tracks  ‘Girl Talk’ and ‘Unpretty’.

American DJ and producer Frankie Knuckles gets his hands on singer-songwriter Toni Braxton’s classics, as part of an album full to the brim with impressive versions of her chart smashes including ‘Unbreak My Heart’, ‘I Don’t Want To’ and ‘Spanish Guitar’. Toni Braxton: Essential remixes is a must have.

On R Kelly: Essential Mixes, revered house pioneer and half of duo Masters At Work Kenny Gonzales winds up hit ‘U Saved Me’, as part of a stunning group of remixes that includes huge tracks ‘Ignition’, ‘I Wish’ and ‘Did You Ever Think’ featuring Nas.

Finally, Canadian hit machine Avril Lavigne receives some special remix action on huge tracks including the anthemic ‘Sk8er Boi’, ‘Girlfirend’ and the ever-powerful ‘When You’re Gone’.  This collection heightens the passion in her music and will hit both her loyal fans and new listeners with a positively hard punch.

With some of the world’s hottest artists of the moment onboard, Essential Mixes is a series that will take current fans and a new generation of listeners alike on the road to remix heaven.